Fact Sheet: Syphilis
What is Syphilis?
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
People who come in contact with the sores or rash of a
person infected with syphilis are at risk of getting the
disease. Sometimes symptoms are not easily seen and
go unnoticed.
What are the symptoms?
Syphilis has three stages
Stage 1:
• A hard, painless, reddish sore (or sores), called a
chancre, will appear 10-90 days after intimate
contact with someone who is infected.
• The sores appear most often where the infection
entered the body – on the head or shaft of the
penis, around the vaginal opening and rectum,
inside the vagina, on the cervix, in the mouth, or
on fingers.
• The sore(s) will go away in 1-5 weeks, but syphilis
is still in the body and can be transmitted to
others.
Stage 2:
• Red or pigmented skin rashes appear 6-12 weeks
after contact.
• The rash can appear anywhere on the body, but
often occurs on the palms of the hand or on the
soles of the feet.
• Mild flu-like symptoms
• Symptoms will go away in 2-6 weeks, but syphilis
is still in the body and can be transmitted to
others.
Stage 3:
• A person may never have symptoms again.
However, if they do have symptoms they are very
serious and often occur many years after initial
infection. Syphilis can slowly and permanently
damage your heart, brain and other vital organs. It
can even cause death.
If you suspect you have been exposed, seek testing
as soon as possible.
How is it spread?
• Syphilis is spread during oral, anal or vaginal sex
with someone who has untreated syphilis.
• It can also be transmitted through any skin-to-skin
contact with the rash or sores on an infected person.
• Syphilis is passed to the unborn fetus if the mother
is infected.
How is it treated?
Syphilis can be treated with 1-3 injections of the
antibiotic penicillin (depending on the stage). For
people who are allergic to penicillin, other antibiotics
are available to treat syphilis. If more than 24 hours
have passed since the start of treatment, syphilis is not
likely to be transmitted. You can be tested and treated
at your private medical provider or at the Genesee
County Health Department. It is very important to
complete the entire course of treatment and to have a
follow-up exam to make sure that you are cured.
How is it prevented?
• Don’t have sex. You cannot give or get an
STD if there is no contact with the penis,
vagina, mouth or anus of an infected person.
• Limit your number of sexual partners. The
more people you have sex with, the greater the
chance of getting syphilis.
• If you choose to have sex, be prepared. Use
condoms with a water-based lubricant and use
a new condom every time you have sex.
• Have regular exams if you are sexually
active. If you think you have syphilis, get
tested. Ask your partner(s) to get tested.
• Remember: a Pap smear is not a test for
syphilis.
• Ask to be tested if you are at risk.
• Tell your partner if you are infected; tell
anyone you have had sex with that they need
to be tested. If they are not treated they may be
harmed for the rest of their lives and may also
pass it back to you.
This fact sheet is for information only and is not meant to be used for self -diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health care
provider. For more information, call your health care provider or 257-3612.
Visit our website at: www.gchd.us or the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention at: www.cdc.gov
Genesee County Health Department
630 S.Saginaw Street
Flint, Michigan 48502-1540
"Better Life through Better Health"